200 at third demo for release of ISA detainees

About 200 people gathered at the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention centre in Kamunting Perak today, for the third consecutive week, calling for the release of the remaining 45 detainees.

Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) coordinator Syukri Abdul Razab toldMalaysiakini that the crowd would have swelled to 500 if not for the roadblocks by the police leading to the detention facility.

The vocal NGO has been pressuring the government to release the detainees, 20 Malaysians and 25 foreigners, who were incarcerated without trial for alleged involvement in human trafficking, terrorism and falsifying documents.

The demonstration was held from 11am to 12.45pm, said Syukri, after which they dispersed for the families of the detainees to make their weekly visits.

He said that Perak PAS members and supporters had also joined in their protest today.

"We has a large group because they (PAS supporters) joined in. If there were no roadblocks I'm sure there would have been more."

Still in solitary confinement 

According to Syukri, the family members of detainee Fadzullah Abdul Razak came to visit him only to discover that he is still in solitary confinement.

"It has been three months, he has been all alone. He recites the al-Quran with the help of the moonlight that shines through a small window in his cell," said Syukri, quoting the inmate's father.

Fadzullah (right) was arrested on July 15, 2010 for allegedly recruiting students for a Jemaah Islamiah group.

Syukri also related that the detainees are being closely monitored after they called off their hunger strike last month.

He added that GMI will launch a Hari Raya greeting card signature campaign during the fasting month of Ramadan which begins next week.

"We will hand over the cards to Kamunting and we will arrange for the fourth protest there after Hari Raya," said Syukri.

The detainees are demanding their immediate release after the ISA was repealed on June 22, however, the government's stand is that the detainees would have to serve out their detention orders as Section 32 of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 states that any order made under ISA stands unless cancelled by the home minister.